The impact of online peer mentoring on first year student transition, problem solving skills, and academic success

Transition to higher education is challenging, and first year students need support to facilitate a positive experience. Key issues include positive transition; problem-solving perceptions; and support from peers. This study examined relationships among student transition, problem-solving ability, and academic success. Student transition was measured using Lizzio's (2006) Student Transition Scale. problem-solving skills were measured by Beccaria and Machin's (2011) Problem-Solving Inventory-12-Item. Academic success was measured using grade point average and overall course grade. The current study (N = 171) involved foundation psychology students who received online peer mentoring from 34 third year students at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Semester 1, 2012. Results indicated mentees achieved higher academic success and adjusted to university better than did non-mentees. Mentees also became more self-aware of their problem-solving ability, identifying strategies to improve overall university experience, including maximising opportunities for academic success. These findings indicate that peer support can facilitate student transition and enhance the first year student experience

The Flying Fish Persistent Ocean Surveillance Platform

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77030/1/AIAA-2009-1902-584.pd

A Demonstration of using Partnerships and Private Lands Conservation to Evaluate Livestock Grazing as a Management Tool for Greater Sage Grouse in Central Montana

Partnerships across agencies and land ownerships established to maintain wildlife-compatible “working landscapes” are critical for conserving and managing wildlife in the West.  Preliminary results from the first three years of a 10-yr study in central Montana demonstrate this management approach.  We are evaluating prescribed grazing systems implemented by NRCS’s Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) that are designed to improve hiding cover and food availability for Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) during critical life stages via voluntary, incentive-based modifications of livestock grazing management.  Extensive vegetation sampling across 8 SGI-enrolled ranches and 20 non-enrolled ranches in 2013 revealed significant increases in residual grass height, live grass height, and herbaceous vegetation cover on SGI-enrolled lands. In 2011-2013, we monitored adult female sage-grouse and chicks with radiotelemetry to measure vital rates and habitat use. Annual hen survival ranged from 57-74 percent, nest success ranged from 12-61 percent, and chick survival ranged from 9-23 percent.  Using an information theoretic approach in program MARK, the top-ranked nest success model showed that grass height was positively correlated with nest success.   During late nesting to early brood rearing periods of 2012 and 2013 we used pitfall traps to collected ground-dwelling arthropods from cattle grazed and rest-rotation phase pastures enrolled in the SGI program. Collected arthropods were identified and appropriate specimens were classified as sage grouse chick food items. During both years of study, food item catches were greatest (P < 0.03) in rested versus grazed pastures indicating that strategic pasture rest may increase the availability of sage grouse chick food resources

Laparoscopic repair of very large hiatus hernia with sutures versus absorbable mesh versus nonabsorbable mesh a randomized controlled trial

Author version made available in accordance with pubilsher policy. 12 month embargo applies from the date of publication (1 Feb 2015).Objective: Determine whether absorbable or non-absorbable mesh in repair of large hiatus hernias reduces the risk of recurrence, compared to suture repair. Summary Background Data: Repair of large hiatus hernia is associated with radiological recurrence rates of up to 30%, and to improve outcomes mesh repair has been recommended. Previous trials have shown less short term recurrence with mesh, but adverse outcomes limit mesh use. Methods: Multicentre prospective double blind randomized controlled trial of 3 methods of repair; sutures vs. absorbable mesh vs. non-absorbable mesh. Primary outcome - hernia recurrence assessed by barium meal X-ray and endoscopy at 6 months. Secondary outcomes - clinical symptom scores at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: 126 patients enrolled - 43 sutures, 41 absorbable mesh and 42 non-absorbable mesh. 96.0% were followed to 12 months, with objective follow-up data in 92.9%. A recurrent hernia (any size) was identified in 23.1% following suture repair, 30.8% - absorbable mesh, and 12.8% - non-absorbable mesh (p=0.161). Clinical outcomes were similar, except less heartburn at 3 & 6 months and less bloating at 12 months with non-absorbable mesh, and more heartburn at 3 months, odynophagia at 1 month, nausea at 3 & 12 months, wheezing at 6 months, and inability to belch at 12 months following absorbable mesh. The magnitude of the clinical differences were small. Conclusions: No significant differences were seen for recurrent hiatus hernia, and the clinical differences were unlikely to be clinically significant. Overall outcomes following sutured repair were similar to mesh repair

Phenology largely explains taller grass at successful nests in greater sage-grouse

Much interest lies in the identification of manageable habitat variables that affect key vital rates for species of concern. For ground-nesting birds, vegetation surrounding the nest may play an important role in mediating nest success by providing concealment from predators. Height of grasses surrounding the nest is thought to be a driver of nest survival in greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse), a species that has experienced widespread population declines throughout their range. However, a growing body of the literature has found that widely used field methods can produce misleading inference on the relationship between grass height and nest success. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that measuring concealment following nest fate (failure or hatch) introduces a temporal bias whereby successful nests are measured later in the season, on average, than failed nests. This sampling bias can produce inference suggesting a positive effect of grass height on nest survival, though the relationship arises due to the confounding effect of plant phenology, not an effect on predation risk. To test the generality of this finding for sage-grouse, we reanalyzed existing datasets comprising \u3e800 sage-grouse nests from three independent studies across the range where there was a positive relationship found between grass height and nest survival, including two using methods now known to be biased. Correcting for phenology produced equivocal relationships between grass height and sage-grouse nest survival. Viewed in total, evidence for a ubiquitous biological effect of grass height on sage-grouse nest success across time and space is lacking. In light of these findings, a reevaluation of land management guidelines emphasizing specific grass height targets to promote nest success may be merited

Circulating Serum Exosomal miRNAs As Potential Biomarkers for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Author version made available in accordance with publisher policy.Abstract Background The poor prognosis and rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma highlight the need for improved detection methods. The potential for circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers in other cancers has been shown, but circulating miRNAs have not been well characterized in esophageal adenocarcinoma. We investigated whether circulating exosomal miRNAs have potential to discriminate individuals with esophageal adenocarcinoma from healthy controls and non-dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus. Methods Seven hundred fifty-eight miRNAs were profiled in serum circulating exosomes from a cohort of 19 healthy controls, 10 individuals with Barrett’s esophagus, and 18 individuals with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma. MiRNA expression was assessed using all possible permutations of miRNA ratios per individual. Four hundred eight miRNA ratios were differentially expressed in individuals with cancer compared to controls and Barrett’s esophagus (Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05). The 179/408 ratios discriminated esophageal adenocarcinoma from healthy controls and Barrett’s esophagus (linear regression, P0.7, P<0.05). A multi-biomarker panel (RNU6-1/miR- 16-5p, miR-25-3p/miR-320a, let-7e-5p/miR-15b-5p, miR- 30a-5p/miR-324-5p, miR-17-5p/miR-194-5p) demonstrated enhanced specificity and sensitivity (area under ROC=0.99, 95 % CI 0.96–1.0) over single miRNA ratios to distinguish esophageal adenocarcinoma from controls and Barrett’s esophagus. Conclusions This study highlights the potential for serum exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for the detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Pre-therapy mRNA expression of TNF is associated with regimen-related gastrointestinal toxicity in patients with esophageal cancer: a pilot study

Author version made available following 12 month embargo from date of publication (27 March 2015) in accordance with publisher copyright policy.Purpose Esophageal cancer has a high mortality rate, and its multimodality treatment is often associated with significant rates of severe toxicity. Effort is needed to uncover ways to maximize effectiveness of therapy through identification of predictive markers of response and toxicity. As such, the aim of this study was to identify genes predictive of chemoradiotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity using an immune pathway-targeted approach. Methods Adults with esophageal cancer treated with chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin and 45–50 Gy radiation were recruited to the study. Pre-therapy-collected whole blood was analyzed for relative expression of immune genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Gene expression was compared between patients who experienced severe regimen-related gastrointestinal toxicity vs. those experiencing mild to moderate toxicity. Results Blood from 31 patients were analyzed by RT-PCR. Out of 84 immune genes investigated, TNF was significantly elevated (2.05-fold, p = 0.025) in the toxic group (n = 12) compared to the non-toxic group (n = 19). Nausea and vomiting was the most commonly documented severe toxicity. No associations between toxicity and response, age, sex, histology, or treatment were evident. Conclusions This study supports evidence of TNF as a predictive biomarker in regimen-related gastrointestinal toxicity. Confirming these findings in a larger cohort is warranted

Preoperative factors predicting clinical outcome following laparoscopic fundoplication

Background\ud \ud Antireflux surgery is effective for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux, but not all patients benefit equally from it. The challenge is to identify the patients who will ultimately benefit from antireflux surgery. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors that predict clinical outcome after antireflux surgery, with special interest in the influence of socioeconomic factors.\ud \ud Methods\ud \ud Preoperative clinical and socioeconomic data from 1,650 patients who were to undergo laparoscopic fundoplication were collected prospectively. Clinical outcome measures (persistent heartburn, dysphagia, satisfaction) were assessed at short-term (1 year) and longer-term (≥3 years) follow-up.\ud \ud Results\ud \ud At early follow-up, male gender (relative risk [RR] 1.091, p < 0.001) and the presence of a hiatus hernia (RR 1.065, p = 0.002) were independently associated with less heartburn. Male gender was also associated with higher overall satisfaction (RR 1.046, p = 0.034). An association was found between postoperative dysphagia and age (RR 0.988, p = 0.007) and the absence of a hiatus hernia (RR 0.767, p = 0.001). At longer-term follow-up, only male gender (RR 1.125, p < 0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for heartburn control. Male gender (RR 0.761, p = 0.001), the presence of a hiatus hernia (RR 0.823, p = 0.014), and cerebrovascular comorbidities (RR 1.306, p = 0.019) were independent prognosticators for dysphagia at longer-term follow-up. A hiatus hernia was the only factor associated with better overall satisfaction. Socioeconomic factors did not influence any clinical outcomes at short- and longer-term follow-up.\ud \ud Conclusion\ud \ud Male gender and hiatus hernia are associated with a better clinical outcome following laparoscopic fundoplication, whereas socioeconomic status does not influence outcome

Flo's story: the development of a facebook learning object for health and social care students about persistent pain in older people

Introduction: 50-80% of older people experience persistent pain. Thus, it is important that health and social care education prepares students to work with this specific group. Students need to understand and empathise with the older person's perspectives and experiences. This is difficult to achieve in time-limited classroom and clinical placement environments. Aim: The aim of this project was to create and provisionally pilot a Facebook Learning Object (FLO) for health and social care students to develop their understanding of, and empathy with, older people with persistent pain. Method: A FLO has been created which presents the experience of living with persistent pain in the form of a fictitious older (+65 years) person's (Called Florence or “Flo”) Facebook entries and interactions with “Facebook Friends.” The Facebook storyline was written by a professional playwright using older peoples' accounts from previous research http://eopic.dundee.ac.uk. The project involved four student researchers and a student-centered approach was taken to the development of the resource. Input was sought through focus groups with students from a range of different health and social care professions (Including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing students) and from older adults with persistent pain. The focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis and the findings were used to develop the learning object. Results: Four student focus groups (n=30) identified a number of key issues in the development of the resource. Key potential barriers such as student fears regarding the privacy of their Facebook account were identified and solutions to these barriers were identified. A provisional version of the learning object was piloted with physiotherapy students (n=9) showing evidence of enhanced positive attitudes towards older people on the Attitudes Towards Older People Scale (ATOPS), which fits with the learning aim of the learning object. This provides initial proof of concept of the learning object. Discussion: A Facebook Learning object has been created which aims to develop health and social care students understanding of, and empathy with, older people with persistent pain http://hdl.handle.net/10949/18483. Feedback from student focus groups was positive indicating a high level of acceptability amongst students and initial piloting demonstrated proof of concept. It is envisaged that this novel learning tool will enhance health and social care student education and ultimately enhance the well-being of future service users

Responsiveness and convergent validity of QLU-C10D and EQ-5D-3L in assessing short-term quality of life following esophagectomy

AIM: This study assessed the responsiveness and convergent validity of two preference-based measures; the newly developed cancer-specific EORTC Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 dimensions (QLU-C10D) relative to the generic three-level version of the EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) in evaluating short-term health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes after esophagectomy. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in a multicentre randomised controlled trial to determine the impact of preoperative and postoperative immunonutrition versus standard nutrition in patients with esophageal cancer. HRQoL was assessed seven days before and 42 days after esophagectomy. Standardized Response Mean and Effect Size were calculated to assess responsiveness. Ceiling effects for each dimension were calculated as the proportion of the best level responses for that dimension at follow-up/post-operatively. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman’s correlation and the level of agreement was explored using Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: Data from 164 respondents (mean age: 63 years, 81% male) were analysed. HRQoL significantly reduced on both measures with large effect sizes (> 0.80), and a greater mean difference (0.29 compared to 0.16) on QLU-C10D. Both measures had ceiling effects (> 15%) on all dimensions at baseline. Following esophagectomy, ceiling effects were observed with self-care (86%), mobility (67%), anxiety/depression (55%) and pain/discomfort (19%) dimensions on EQ-5D-3L. For QLU-C10D ceiling effects were observed with emotional function (53%), physical function (16%), nausea (35%), sleep (31%), bowel problems (21%) and pain (20%). A strong correlation (r = 0.71) was observed between EQ-5D-3L anxiety and QLU-C10D emotional function dimensions. Good agreement (3.7% observations outside the limits of agreement) was observed between the utility scores. CONCLUSION: The QLU-C10D is comparable to the more widely applied generic EQ-5D-3L, however, QLU-C10D was more sensitive to short-term utility changes following esophagectomy. Cognisant of requirements by policy makers to apply generic utility measures in cost effectiveness studies, the disease-specific QLU-C10D should be used alongside the generic measures like EQ-5D-3L. Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12611000178943) on the 15th of February 2011. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12955-021-01867-w